Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-25

In 1872 the iodocs of southeastern OREGON
refused g. so on a new reservation" and
war began: they fought all winter, and in
the sprinE Of 1873 took position in the noted
"lava beds'-a region of wild gorgcs and
hidden Valo-s, the remains of a volcanic
fcld--and there withstool the troops till mid
summer. At conference with the Indians
Gen. Candy anl DR.. Thomas were treacher-
ousy killed, and Mr.. Mearhau, a member of
the peace commission, wounded. For this
the noted Capt. Jack and other chiefs wcrc
hanged. On the 18th of June 1876, occurred
the noted Custer massacre, which provoked
long and angry controversy. We now know
the important facts. Gen. Custer, being
then under charges of characterization, de
tcrmncd to win another Indian fight end
tins secure his standing il the army. With
his regiment the Seventh United States
cavalry, he reached big camp of Sioux at
noon, and with great rashncss attacked them
on their own chosen ground while the In
dams and their horses We're fresh and his
own force worn out by long march. Moth.
ing but disaster could follow. Maj Reno,
with part of the command, having attacked
one end of the Indian camp, was able to get
out upon high ground and sustain him
self till rc-en1orcemcnts cHlac. Gen.
Custer led an attack on the other
end OF the Indian camp; his command was
surrounded and not a man escaped. The
total loss was POI killed, beside; iifty-two
wounded in Rcno's command There was q
loud cry of Indignation at somebody, but
when all the facts were known there could be
but one verdict: he had attacked n vastly
superior force, as well armed as hi, own mon
better mY,M;cd, better posted and with al
tic advantages in favor Of tie Indians. But
oao result was possible. Sitting Bull and
Rain-iu-thef Race, the Sioux leaders. became
men Of national fame. The war resulted III
their retreat into British America whence
the have since returned; and no# that par
ticu"r band is among the most PEACEFUL, and
several warriors Who tool; par in that mas
sacrc are now quiet farmers on the Sioux
reservation ut Devils Lake, ID. I. Fort Gus
ter low dominates the once hostile section OF
Montana. and from it lately went the troops
which had the battle with the Crows
The next year the Nc1 Pcrce5 war inter.
ested the country; bat it was settled
by hard marching more ihan fighting. Gen
o. q. Towards troops made forced marchC>
in pursuit Of the Indians, over mountains and
across deserts, for 1000 miles In August
lSNl. the ApacEes of Arizona broke out
again. committing the most horrible atrOci
t.ls. For hundred warrior, fell upon Col
Carr co.pnand in the White mountains and
maseacrci every one-scVcldy neA and seven
officers, Thus began the last Arizona Indian
war which, after dragging tcGiously on for
five years, was happily ended by Gen. Crook
the Chief Geronimo surrcndcring and most
of the hostilcS being taken to Florida for safe
keeping. Nearly two years Of peace have
succeeded, and now we have perhaps a biz
war on hand with the Crows.
Tho United States contains in round num-
bcrS nearly 100000 Indians. or these one
fifth are highly civilized and two-lf,h MS semi
civilized Tho former ere in the older
states and Indian territory; they have good
homes and schools, printing presses and man
ufactories and are in general way progress
sivc and enlightened. The sem-civili2ed in
clude the Iunblos of New Mexico and Ari-
IONA, the mission Indians of California and
elsewhere, and u few others. OF the uncivil-
lied two-hrhs more than half are pcaceable.
Indeed, there has not been Il time for forty
years when onC-1iith of all the Indians were
hostile at one time, A new theory of duty
toward them has been adopted. The Hamp-
ton and Carl '' schools are but types of the
uew system. Awllwardly and slowly, it is
true, hut in n sincere way, the Christian peo-
pie Of the U,itcl States are earnestly trying
10 redeem tLo Indians from heathenism and
barharls.l